An MEP is urging the European Commission (EC) to sort out funding wrangles which are threatening to scupper Surrey's speedy superfast broadband roll-out.
South East England MEP Catherine Bearder has called for the EC to quickly resolve the issues surrounding funding for high-speed broadband amid worries voiced by Surrey County Council chiefs.
She said they believe a delay in freeing up cash could cost local businesses dear by leaving them in an uncompetitive position.
Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt recently praised Surrey County Council's broadband plans and urged other local authorities to follow its lead on super-fast broadband.
The Cabinet Minister said Surrey’s aim of ensuring every business and home has access to superfast broadband in two years would be a “fantastic achievement.”
The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and Sport, said: “Surrey County Council is aiming to get super-fast broadband access to everyone in the county.
“This would be a fantastic achievement and they are clearly well ahead of the game in their ambitions for super-fast broadband.
“I hope other councils will follow its lead.”
Mr Hunt was speaking after a meeting with the county council’s deputy leader Peter Martin to discuss Surrey’s drive to ensure businesses and residents in the county are not left behind in the super-fast broadband roll-out.
The county council has set its sights on providing super-fast broadband for up to 20% of Surrey residents and businesses – around 100,000 premises – not included in BT’s current plans to roll out the service nationally.
The national aim is for 90% of the country to have super-fast broadband by 2015.
But now Surrey councillors, along with council chiefs from East and West Sussex, Hampshire, Kent, Brighton and Hove, and Medway, have voiced their concerns over funding being delayed by a legal row between the EC and the team responsible for UK broadband.
Ms Bearder said: “Superfast broadband is needed now and any further delay will have a damaging impact on businesses.
“This money will help boost economic growth outside towns and cities in the South-east, but it needs to be made available soon.”
She said around £57 million has been set aside by council leaders after plans for broadband roll-out were given the all-clear by the UK Government.
Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK) is poised to provide £33 million to support the scheme across Surrey and the six other South-east council areas.
But the grants must be approved by the EC to ensure they comply with single market regulation rules, and a  legal dispute between BDUK and the Commission has meant delays in councils getting their hands on the money, which was supposed to be available in April.
Ms Bearder, who has written to the EC to push for a swift resolution, said: “Businesses and communities in rural areas are desperate for higher internet speeds.
“It has a major impact on how they operate their businesses.”
She said: “To be so close to getting the money is deeply frustrating, and I will be pushing for a resolution before the end of the summer.”
Sir Graham Watson, a Liberal Democrat MEP for the South West, has also spoken to EC Vice-President Joaquin Almunia in a bid to tackle the delay.
For more details about Surrey’s plans for a high-speed broadband service, visit the website: www.superfastsurrey.org.uk